Fishing Forum

I thought this is pretty big:

Orvis has just pulled the curtain up on their new lineup of rods for 2010: the Hydros . Perhaps sensing that the economy is not quite what it once was, the boys from Manchester have made a series of very good decisions to essentially bring the popular Helios into reach of the masses. The new rods will cost $495 for all freshwater models and $525 for all saltwater models. They are going to be available in every weight class that Helios comes in, with the exception of the switch rods. According to Orvis' Tom Rosenbauer, they're built on the exact same tapering and scrim technology as the Helios rods, with many of the exact same mandrels used as forms.

How has Orvis managed to cut almost $200 off the price? By eliminating a lot of the Ferrari-level jewelry (bringing this baby more into the Cadillac class). The Hydros rods will not sport REC's Recoil guides (the flexible, bounce-back ones), nor will they have as light a reel seat. The male ends of the ferrules are unpainted (actually a feature, not a bug--unpainted ferrules seat more securely). The rods will come with a traditional Cordura-covered tube rather than a woven graphite model. Due to the hardware changes, the rods will be slightly heavier--more akin to the premium models offered by other companies. Interestingly, they will be available October 15; well in time for Christmas.

In short, to offer a little editorial, this is still a premium rod. Orvis seems to be filling in a gap in their lineup, offering a $500-class rod with very similar hardware to that offered by other companies, but building on what they believe to be a great blank design (and from what I've heard about Helios sales, the market certainly agrees on that blank). All in all this is a very intelligent move; rather than pushing the price envelope ever further, they are consolidating technological advances and putting more rods in more hands.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#008000][size 3]I read about those new Hydros but no pictures have been released as of now. Just what I need a another teaser. lol Oh well if I can't catch fish with the rods I now have, then I'll be in deep do-do.[/size][/#008000][/font]
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Here you go:


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FG,
I assume they are just delaying the Hydros until the economy turns around. What are the benefits of the hydros over the helios and any idea on what the price was going to be? When the Helios came out I swore I wasn't going to buy one because I don't really need more rods (even if I just have a closet and not a wharehouse full like you[laugh]). Well they quickly went on sale, most likely because of the economy and I bought a freshwater 906 midflex 4 pc for under $600. Great little salmon rod. Caught all 5 species of salmon with it on Prince of Wales Island a few weeks back. Not really supposed to be fresh water kings there but I managed to land a fresh bright King of about 25 lbs with that rod. Despite being unable to wade down and across the river because of the depth I pulled her back up and across the river a hundred yard with relatively little problem. I just thought I had a 15-20 silver on until I landed it. Not bad for a rod that weighs like 2 ounces.
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You did good, I haven't seen any Helios for under $700., but then I really haven't looked.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#008000][size 3]Tell me about Orvis discontinuing rod models. A year after I bought my Zero Gravity rod they dropped the price & then dropped the line. It's still a fine rod plus at the local Orvis fair Hutch gave me a nice discount on it, so I'm happy. Really have no intention of getting a Helios or Hydro rod. Oh yea worked him for a discount on a CFO reel. Nice package.
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Hutch was my district boss. Great guy. Helios was as many say, a bad intro to the New material Helios.
I agree however, I have the 906-4 ZG and love it.
I admit however, I am getting away from plastic and going more toward glass as it suits my style better. I do like the combination plastic/glass too.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#008000][size 3]Seems like a real nice guy. He sure knows how to make a fly line sing.[/size][/#008000][/font]
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U know, that is very nice that they came out with new rod.
However in this bad times $500.00 is still a LOT of money to spend on luxury .
Most people need money to pay bills this days and
fly fishing is not necessity but luxury for sure.
Im sorry but $500.00 rod is NOT for the masses in this
horible economy.
TFO rods are more of a rod for the masses.
Now dont get upset my lady, Im just putting in my 2c.

Peter
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You are right. The $500. is more a select few, but that few is not that small.
There are plenty more people out there in the same boat as myself. And that meaning, life really hasn't changed that much. Tighten one belt notch and things are fine.

Also people like me that appreciate the quality. I have ONE TFO and......well lets just say a bunch of Orvis[]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#008000][size 3]One has to remember that Orvis isn't appealing to the 10% that are unemployed. Prices on many products are really falling which is good for the consumer. [/size][/#008000][/font]
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